Michael Myers performs with fellow Lenoir Saxophone Ensemble member Robert George at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Hickory in July. / SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN-TIMES/JOSEPH DORSCH

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ASHEVILLE — Asheville, a city known for its arts, has no shortage of songwriters. Many musicians say there are more really good musicians here than in many cities larger than Asheville.But what about the city’s classical and film composers? What are they up to? Here’s the latest on a few music-makers.

Music programmer

Last summer, Michael Myers, 35, went to the National Symphony Orchestra’s music institute to help a musician friend out. He ended up becoming the musical director of “The Perfect Pitch Orchestra,” a Web-based tool to teach kids symphonic sounds (www.artsedge.kennedy-center.org/perfectpitch). Myers, lead programmer and designer of CITIZEN-TIMES.com, wrote a piece for each classical style of music featured and then orchestrated, conducted and recorded it. Then he assembled it for use on the Web. n Grew up: In Brevard, where because of Brevard College he heard lots of music.n Enthralled by: The film scores of John Williams and Elmer Bernstein.n Finishing now: Orchestrating and producing a video for ARTSEDGE, to be played in the Hall of Nations at the Kennedy Center. n Designed himself: www.myersmedia.net.

Film writer

Mark Hagerling, who wrote the music for the local film “A Dance for Bethany,” is composing music for equestrian competitors in this year’s Olympics. Working out of a studio in his house in Haw Creek, he creates music to the horses’ choreography. “You want it to look like the horse is following the music, whereas the music is following the horse,” he said. “If a horse comes up with an injury, that brings the whole ride to a screeching halt.”n Recently won: Award of excellence for “A Dance with Bethany” from “The Accolade Competition,” a Web-based film festival. n Composes with: Musical samples from the Vienna Symphony Orchestra digital library. n Started out: Writing music for Asheville Center for the Performing Arts’ annual production of “The Wizard of Oz.”n Find him: www.hagerling.com.

Music mixer

Silas Durocher’s latest classical composition, “In the Midst of a Beautiful Space,” written for flute, oboe and bassoon, was performed in Asheville Oct. 28. The 22-year-old lead guitar player in the Asheville-based band Laura Reed and Deep Pockets, Durocher got his degree in music composition from the New College in Sarasota, Fla. Some of the musicians who played the piece he wrote for his senior thesis will be in the studio with him in June to record his latest project, an as-yet untitled synthesis of pop and classical music. n Listening to: The Beatles, and the late Argentinean classical composer Astor Piazzolla.n Day job: Guest services at The Health Adventure in Asheville.n Hear live: Laura Reed and Deep Pockets play at Stella Blue on March 28. n Read more: www.silasdurocher.com.

Fringe writer

Elisa Faires, 36, wrote the music for the Asheville Fringe Festival performance in January of “Cilla Vee.” The piece, “A Night Out With Bob and John,” is a collaboration between her and British choreographer Claire Elizabeth Barratt. The Asheville resident, composer of modern classical, electronic music, experimental cabaret and other music, composed the score for the recent butoh performance “Bio” at Diana Wortham Theatre. She’s working on a project that combines solo voice and piano into music based on alchemical texts from the 1300s. n Trained in: Opera as well as music; has studied gamelan in Bali. n Teaches at: Asheville Music School (voice and piano), and Carolina Day School.n Locally attended: Brevard College (bachelor in music degree), UNC Asheville (voice). n Answers mail: At Laomeow@yahoo.com.